Several years ago, while traveling through Thailand's Isaan region with my now-husband, he added an unusual twist to our itinerary. "Type this name into Google Maps," he said as we left Udon Thani, and spelled out the name of the temple, Wat Kam Chanot.

Well, as a foreigner, this seems unusual to me. However, for reasons I will explain shortly, it is an extremely popular meeting place for Thais.

Regardless of your reasons for visiting, Wat Kham Chanot is undoubtedly a unique and special place. Read on to learn more.

Why Thais are flocking to Wat Kham Chanot

The Kham Chanot Temple owes its name to the chanot trees, a type of palm, that surround it. Rumor has it that these trees can reveal lucky lottery numbers—at least if prayers to the images of Naga (a local serpent deity) are answered. My husband told me about a woman who supposedly won tens of millions of euros in Europe using these numbers; however, I haven't been able to find any confirmation of this story.

In fact, all the reports I've read online recently indicate that the temple's fortunes are waning. Apparently, many people no longer dare to make the journey there because its reputation has suffered. My husband, on the other hand, would like to return one day, although he admits it might not be a good omen. Perhaps he simply wants to return out of nostalgia, to remember our first encounter.

How to plan your visit to Wat Kham Chanot

Flight to Udon Thani

Unless you're willing to undertake a very long car journey from Bangkok – or are already in Isaan, for example in Ubon Ratchathani, Roi Et or Nakhon Phanom – you'll need to fly from Bangkok (BKK) to Udon Thani (UTH). This route is served by many flights daily, so this shouldn't be a problem.

Rent a car (or take a taxi).

The next step to reaching the Kham Chanot Forest? Safe transportation. I usually rent a car right after arriving at Udon Thani Airport (it has the largest selection of rental cars in the city). Alternatively, you can ask your hotel in Udon Thani to arrange a taxi and driver for you.

Set off early

Unless you arrive very early in the morning and are leaving directly from the airport, I recommend getting a good night's sleep in Udon Thani and then setting off early in the morning. This way you'll reach the temple before it gets too hot and crowded.

Shop deals on the go.

On the way to Wat Kham Chanot, you'll pass stalls selling colorful, naga-shaped offerings. Women will wave their outstretched arms, beckoning you to get off the street. If you're interested in the legends surrounding the temple, I recommend buying your offerings here, as they are cheaper than at the temple itself.

take your time

The Kham Chanot Temple is located on an island and covers a much larger area than it appears from the outside. Therefore, you should allow more time for exploration than you expect. This is especially true if you are traveling with a Thai person who takes the legends surrounding the temple lottery seriously.

Other activities in Udon Thani

As I've often written here, Udon Thani is an extremely underrated corner of Isaan and of Thailand as a whole. Here are some of my favorite things to do there:

  • If you come in late January or early February, visit Talay Bua Daeng, also known as the Red Lotus Sea, to see thousands of pink lotus flowers in full bloom on the surface of a lake.
  • Take a trip to Wat Pa Phu Kon, sometimes called the "Blue Temple." This is a worthwhile addition if you are traveling to Loei before or after Udon Thani.
  • Although Nong Khai is not technically part of Udon Thani, it is a city and province not far away from which you can enjoy views of the Mekong and possibly even travel further into Laos.

    • Contrary to what I mentioned earlier, it is quite possible to visit the Kham Chanot shrine from there as part of a day trip, although it is nicer to see it along the way during a car journey.

    Other frequently asked questions about visiting Wat Kham Chanot

    Is Wat Kham Chanot worth visiting?

    Although Kham Chanot temple is very popular with Thais, it is virtually unknown to foreigners. For me, this makes it all the more worth seeing, even disregarding the beautiful landscape and the unique mythology that underlies the entire place.

    Why is Wat Kham Chanot so popular?

    The Thai people love Wat Kham Chanot because they believe that the chanot trees (a type of palm) on the island where the temple stands can predict lottery numbers. Whether that's true or not, I find there's a festive, optimistic atmosphere here that you don't necessarily find in all other Thai temples.

    How do I get to Wat Kham Chanot?

    Whether as a day trip from Udon Thani or on the way between Udon Thani and other places in Isaan (probably Sakhon Nakhon or Nakhon Phanom), Wat Kham Chanot is not easily accessible by public transport. Therefore, you will need either a rented car or motorbike, or a taxi with a driver for the day.

    Conclusion

    Wat Kham Chanot might not be on your list of must-see destinations for foreign visitors to Thailand, but I promise you: it's well worth the trip. Due to its distance from the center of Udon Thani, it's better suited as a stop on an Isaan tour than as a simple day trip from the city. You could, for example, stop there on your journey between Udon Thani and Nakhon Phanom in the far northeast of Isaan. However the temple ultimately fits into your travel plans, I'm sure it will exceed your expectations. Looking for another way to create an unforgettable trip? Let me design a personalized Thailand itinerary for you today!